Saturday’s Collingham Show and Ploughing Match on Larksfield is heralded a major success with appearance by Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster

d.churcher@newarkadvertiser.co.uk

Published: 11:44, 19 September 2023

Saturday’s Collingham Show and Ploughing Match has been heralded as a major success.

A great day was had by all at Larksfield as a feast of all that is special about the countryside and the rural setting came together under one sunny sky.

Attractions this year included scurry and trials driving, dog agility and an equestrian vaulting display.

Horse ploughing. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

Classic cars are a staple of the show. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

There were over 100 vintage and classic vehicles on display and paraded at the end of the day.

Traditional agricultural attractions this year included more than 70 competitors in the ploughing, including six horse ploughing teams.

There was a hedge laying plashing competition, heavy horses, livestock, and ridden horse and pony classes in the designated equestrian ring.

Livestock judging. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

The horse-drawn ploughing. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

In the horticultural marquee was the best of locally grown produce, floral displays and bakery skills.

This year the craft marquee was even bigger with even more opportunity to meet some of the local rural arts and crafts producers.

Scurry driving. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

For show society chairman Diane Rowlands, chief amongst the very many highlights of the day was the flypast of the Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which did a fugure-of-eight loop over Larksfield.

The Lancaster Bomber of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

Trade stands and bouncy castles, tug of war and welly-wanging all added up to a great family day out.

Police and the village’s retained fir service were also in attendance.

Diane said: “The weather was fantastic. There were just the right amount of people, busy throughout the day, but not overfull.

A vintage fire engine. Collingham Show 2023. Picture courtesy of David Cook

“From the plashing, to the horticultural classes, to the root, the corm, the vegetables, all entry numbers were up on last year and 2019 [pre-covid lockdown].